2013 - 2014

BS in Public Health: Epidemiology Emphasis
(56 hours*)

The Discipline

Public health professionals work to create conditions that ensure the health and safety of individuals, families, and communities. Public health students are trained to inform, educate, and empower people about health issues; mobilize communities to take ownership for their own health; monitor health status and diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards; develop policies and laws to protect health and ensure safety; and link people to needed health services. The public health mission is carried out through organized, interdisciplinary efforts that address the physical, mental, and environmental health concerns of communities and populations at risk for disease and injury.

Four of several disciplines within public health are represented as emphases within the major: (1) environmental/occupational health identifies and controls factors in the environment (air, water, food, toxins, etc.) or conditions at the workplace which affect health; (2) epidemiology investigates and discovers what causes disease and disability and how diseases are spread or distributed across populations; (3) health promotion facilitates behavior change among individuals and improves population health through policy, advocacy, education, and communication; and (4) health science trains students interested in working in public health after earning an advanced degree in a medical, dental, or other allied health area.

Career Opportunities

There has never been a better time to pursue a career in public health. It is an exciting and growing field of study and a diverse and dynamic profession. It is filled with rewards associated with the pursuit of serving others. The development and delivery of population-based prevention programs will be the key to major advances in health improvement in the 21st century. Public health will continue to be called upon to monitor and assess health problems, prevent and control diseases and injuries, and protect the health of communities and worksites from various environmental and occupational risks associated with man-made and natural disasters and emergencies.

Public health graduates are qualified to work in governmental health agencies on the local, state, federal, and international levels. Private-sector employment can be found in a variety of businesses, community health agencies, managed care organizations, hospitals, clinics, research institutes, voluntary health agencies, and non-governmental organizations. Opportunities for employment in public health are readily available, but recruiters will not typically come to campus to hire graduates. This means graduates must be organized and proactive in their career planning. Students can increase the likelihood of obtaining a position by balancing classroom activities with voluntary or paid service to public health agencies. Obtaining certifications related to specific tracks within the major and careful development of a professional portfolio enhance employment opportunities.

While there are many specialties or disciplines in public health, most career opportunities are found within the fields represented by the emphases in the major. Entry-level salaries with a bachelor's degree in public health will range from approximately $35,000–$60,000 but will vary significantly depending upon the specific discipline, type of organization, and geographic location.

Introduction to the health promotion profession, emphasizing current issues, professional preparation and employment, as well as the philosophy and foundations of professional practice in various settings.

Design and carry out an evaluation plan that will measure the impact of public health programs at changing behaviors, knowledge, attitudes, and health status. Quantitative and qualitative methods will be discussed.

NOTE:

This course should be completed after taking Hlth 432--Methods in Health Promotion, and prior to taking Health 439--Program Planning.

Introduction to the basics of SAS and EXCEL focusing on the set of commands useful for data-reporting, data-management, formatting and graphics, and data-analysis. Topics include tables and regression models for epidemiologists (cumulative-incidence, case-control, and incidence rate data).

Introduction to methods used in the design, interim monitoring, and analysis of clinical trials, including the impact of patient exclusions and other causes of incomplete data. Concepts and principles emphasized. Main focus on randomized Phase III (comparative) trials.

Introduction to statistical concepts and analytical methods as applied to data encountered in biotechnology and biomedical sciences. Emphasis on the basic concepts of experimental design, quantitative analysis of data, and statistical inferences.

Not acceptable for physiology and developmental biology, biophysics, or neuroscience majors. Designed for students with basic chemistry / no molecular biology. Students with chemistry/molecular biology should take PDBio 362.

Not acceptable for physiology and developmental biology, biophysics, or neuroscience majors. Designed for students with basic chemistry / no molecular biology. Students with chemistry/molecular biology should take PDBio 362.